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"HUMMER Ambassador" Ends Two-Continent Tour at Tech Center
The name Tony Velazquez is well known to many people within AM General, to say the least of many people around the world! He and his HUMMER H1 have traveled five continents in seven years.

His latest two-continent excursion ended at the AM General Technical Center in Mishawaka in late April after traveling from his home in Caracas, Venezuela. His trip took him south to the South Arctic, up the Pacific side of South America to Columbia. His vehicle was then shipped to Panama. From there, he traveled through Mexico, including the Baja region (or as Tony calls it “Rod Hall Country”). He traveled north to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, then back down to Indiana. The vehicle will be shipped back to Venezuela.

In 1996, he founded HUMMER Expeditions, a non-profit organization based in Venezuela. This “hobby” has taken him to the most challenging areas of Africa, Asia, Australia, North America and South America in an H1 to learn about the habitat and the inhabitants. He also finds and participates in extreme sports such as paragliding from Alaska’s Mt. McKinley, diving in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, hiking in the Himalayas, kayaking, rafting, and parachuting.

The trips help test sponsors’ products on the HUMMER. Recently that included anti-corrosion products and an engine cooler. He also helps raise money for several orphanages.

Velazquez, an entrepreneur with a background in international affairs, is a lifelong adventurer and seasoned expedition leader. He first learned about HUMMER in 1995 when he was preparing to drive from Venezuela to Prudhoe Bay. A friend had seen a HUMMER in Alberta, and shortly after Tony came to South Bend to discuss gaining AM General as a sponsor. AM General decided on the deal, which involved allowing a discount on a vehicle, prepping it for his unique expeditions, and doing a maintenance review upon return. Photos from his trips have appeared in HUMMER product literature, HUMMER Adventures magazines and many international publications.

His white 1996 wagon traveled nearly 150,000 miles before he traded it in for a used 2002 H1. AM General has outfitted this truck with new components like brakes, wiper arms and an alternator to help with their travels. For safety’s sake, it is bulletproofed and equipped with night vision, a satellite phone, email and a localizer. The vehicle can handle up to 4 tons of cargo (versus the standard payload of 3,146 lbs.). The roof rack holds 520 gallons
for drinking water, wash water, diesel fuel and two extra tires.

Each trip takes about 12-15 months to plan. Velazquez takes a navigator, video cameraman and a photographer. They become ambassadors for HUMMER, which is recognizable in all corners of the globe. It seems wherever they go, people ask “Are you Armold’s brother? Is this Arnold’s car?”

Upon arriving in Mishawaka, Velazquez presented Bill Thompson, AM General’s director of Fleet Sales and Commercial Services, with a plaque thanking the company for its sponsorship.

So what’s next for Tony and his team? In 2005, he hopes to conquer the Namibian Desert in Southwest Africa or possibly a trip to India. Eventually he hopes to take his HUMMER to the Gobi Desert in Mongolia.